Thousands, including MKs, protest against Netanyahu
Yesh Atid-Telem activists gathered on about 50 bridges and intersections across the country.
By TOBIAS SIEGALProtesters trying to reach King David Street were blocked by police forces (Credit: Police Spokesperson)The anti-Netanyahu protests entered their 11th week on Saturday evening, as 2,000 protesters marched from the Chords Bridge near Jerusalem's main entrance to the Prime Minster's official residence on Balfour Street, according to N12.Protesters also gathered outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, with speakers attending the protest including former commander of the IDF Northern Corps Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Noam Tibon, former chief scientist Orna Berry and head of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel's legal department Tomer Naor, according to Haaretz."We're in last place when it comes to coronavirus infections. Where's our government? Where's the responsibility? Where's the integrity? The corrupted Bibi is the one responsible for the failure that Israel is experiencing. He'll end up like Golda Meir - a corrupt prime minister who betrayed their country. These demonstrations will eventually send Bibi home," Tibon said.According to the Yesh Atid-Telem party, thousands of its activists gathered on about 50 bridges and intersections across the country to protest "against the government that has failed, both economically and health-wise."A Yesh Atid-Telem statement indicated that a big group of its activists and several of the MKs later joined the protests in Jerusalem."Even in this extreme weather, thousands of us gathered on bridges with the clear message: We're fed up. Netanyahu has failed in handling the coronavirus pandemic, has failed the economy and is destroying the Israeli democracy. We won't let him get away with it. We will continue to protest under this bad government goes home," opposition leader and Yesh Atid-Telem chairman Yair Lapid said.The protests saw an increasing number of attendees last week, following incidents of police violence directed at protesters, which caused a great public uproar. The police released a statement before the protests were underway, calling on protesters to avoid causing provocations that may lead to violent incidents.As opposed to previous protests, police forces did not accompany the protesters during their march from the Chords Bridge to Balfour Street, implementing a different strategy in an attempt to avoid violent encounters with protesters, according to N12.Protesters marched with pink flags and signs that were meant to symbolize a message of peace and love.
However, police later reported that protesters changed directions and tried to reach the King David Street, while confronting police officers who tried to block them.As several protesters tried to reach Tzahal Square, they encountered a police barricade and violently confronted police forces, injuring two police officers, according to an Israel Police statement.Zeev Angelmeir, a popular artist known for depicting a female character named "Shoshke," was reportedly arrested by police at Paris Square because he came dressed in his character's costume, N12 reported.Police responded by stating that his costume "might be considered sexual harassment."Sara Netanyahu recently filed a police complaint, after several protesters arrived at the Balfour protest with costumes resembling penises, with a depiction reading: "Come Sarale, we're leaving."